Gemeente Apeldoorn: A world first: a city bus powered by its wheels!

Apeldoorn, The Netherlands, September 30, 2003; The press introduction of a unique city bus with its engine in its wheels is schedulled for Friday 3rd October 2003

The inventor of the bus, the Apeldoorn-based company e-Traction(r), says the innovation will cut energy consumption by at least 50% and drastically reduce noise levels and emissions of harmful waste substances. Under similar conditions, the new bus will cover at least twice the distance of a "normal" city bus.

The people of Apeldoorn will get a preview of their new city bus on Sunday 5th October 2003 between 10am and 5pm. As part of an international sustainability event called Nations In Bloom, which the Municipality of Apeldoorn is hosting, the bus will be on show throughout the day on Marktplein square. The new bus goes into regular service with the Connexxion public transport company on 1st January 2004.

The Municipality of Apeldoorn is striving to achieve the status of an energy-neutral city in 2020 and is committed to sustainability. That is why the Municipality welcomed e-Traction(r)'s original project idea and mustered the partners necessary to ensure the project's success. The project partners are Connexxion, e-Traction(r), VDL Berkhof, NUON, the Gelderland provincial government and the Municipality of Apeldoorn. Together, these parties are producing this sustainable city bus.

Arnoud van de Steen, official spokesman of the Municipality of Apeldoorn, Telephone: +31 (0) 55 580 17 34, e-mail: steena@apeldoorn.nl